Golf Ball Putting Practice Target, Collection, and Storage Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A device for golf putting practice that is an all-in-one golf ball target cup, golf ball collection and storage for up to a dozen golf balls. A quadrilateral tube is connected to a pole with handle. A ball storage bag is connected to the said quadrilateral tube. This device allows for maximum amount of golf ball practice putts in a very short period of time. Balls are dropped on the practice putting surface from the device storage bag. The device is placed at the desired putting target location and putting practice can begin. Ball collection is completed with the device without bending over, reducing the work and time required.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Golf putting practice is physically exerting and time consuming; since it requires constant ball locating and bending over for ball retrieval. This invention is a golf ball putting training device that provides a target cup, ball collection, and storage for up to two dozen golf balls. This device allows for maximum amount of golf ball practice putts in a very short period of time. Balls are dropped on the practice putting surface from the device storage bag. The device is placed at the desired putting target location and putting practice can begin. Ball collection is completed with the device without bending over, reducing the work required. The balls that were hit into the cup are already collected in the collection bag.

Description of Related Applications

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge.

Golf ball putting training aids are available on the market for use as either a retrieval device or a putting target device. The following is a summary of existing devices on the market. These devices either perform a retrieval or target function. The following is a summary of these devices.

-   -   Flat round target that allows ball to get trapped in the middle     -   Putting green rectangular mat with round hole target     -   Shag bag ball collector that stores up to 70 balls     -   Golf hazard single ball retriever     -   Ball retriever that hold 4 to 8 balls         As compared to devices on the market, this device is novel and         unique in that it performs putting target, ball collection, and         ball storage functions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This device consists of a target cup with snap screws, collection bag with snaps, pole handle adapter with nut, and pole handle. This device is unique and novel, relative to prior art, since it performs all-in-one putting target, ball collection and storage functions.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a putting practice device that allows for a large number of practice putting strokes and subsequent ball collection in a very short period of time. This can be accomplished with this device since it is an all-in-one putting target, ball collector and storage for up to two dozen balls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the complete assembly. Target cup 1, Collection and storage bag 2, and Pole handle 3, Pole adapter with nut 4, Female snaps for mesh bag 5, and Male snaps for target cup 6.

FIG. 2 shows the exploded rear view of the device assembly (less the collection and storage bag).

FIG. 3 shows the rear view of the device assembly (less pole handle) with an exploded view of the mesh collection and storage bag assembly.

FIG. 4 shows the front view of the device assembly (less the pole handle and mesh collection and storage bag).

FIG. 5 shows the rear view of the device assembly (less the mesh collection bag).

FIG. 6 shows the bottom view of the device assembly (less the pole handle and mesh collection and storage bag).

FIG. 7 shows the top view of the target cup assembly (less the pole handle and mesh collection and storage bag).

FIG. 8 shows the side view of the device assembly (less the pole handle and mesh collection and storage bag). Both sides are identical.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1: Target Cup -   2: Collection and Storage Bag -   3: Pole Handle -   4: Pole Adapter with Nut -   5: Female Snaps -   6: Male Snaps

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, the device is in golf putting target position and balanced on the putting surface. The putted ball is designed to enter the quadrilateral target cup 1 and roll through to the mesh collection and storage bag 2.

In FIG. 1, the device is also in the golf ball collection position. Balls are collected by using the target cup 1 as a scoop and lifting the device with the pole handle to push balls through the target cup and into the mesh bag for collection and storage 2. Alternatively, a putter or foot can be used to force balls into the target cup. The pole handle 3 acts is the handle of the device. The device can be stored just like a golf club in the players golf bag. The balls can be accessed directly from the device as needed. Or the removeable mesh bag acts as a golf ball storage bag allowing the player to bring to any location.

Method of Manufacture

The present device design consist of an assembly of a modified standard PVC downspout to drain adapter, a broom handle adapter, sport mesh bag with drawstring, clothing/canvas screw snaps, and a shortened broom pole. This is very economical, however future designs will likely involve customized components to reduce the manufacturing costs and improve the functionality of the device.

Method of Use

This device allows putting practice on carpeting or golf putting green. It can collect up to two dozen golf balls allowing for practice repetition. The player can putt to the target followed by ball collection. The bag full of balls becomes a storage bag that can easily be detached and placed in the golf cart or anywhere else.

Ball Target Use: The device is placed on the putting surface in a balanced and resting position. The successfully made golf ball hits target cup and enters the cup front, rolls through the cup, and enters the collection bag.

Ball Collection Use: The device pole handle is held up vertically and cup front is placed directly behind the golf ball. Cup is dragged behind the ball and enters the cup front, rolls through the cup, and exits into the collection and storage bag.

Ball Storage Device Use: The collection bag also stores the balls. The device can be placed in the golf bag. Balls can be removed by hand or the bag can be detached and carried away.

Variations

The spirit of the present invention is to be a combined target, collection, and storage device for two dozen golf balls. The parts that make up this device may be optimized dimensionally, and the components may be customized further. Improvements and changes to the device may include cup thickness and shape, materials of construction, type and size of collection bag, types of adapters for the pole adapter, type of fastener for the bag to cup connectors, and type of pole-handle. 

1. A device for golf putting practice that is an all-in-one golf ball target cup, golf ball collection, and golf ball storage comprising: a. A quadrilateral tube is connected to a pole with handle. A ball collection and storage bag is connected to the said quadrilateral tube. b. The said quadrilateral tube has dimensions and thickness for rolling golf ball entry. c. The said quadrilateral tube has dimensions, thickness, weight, and shape for the said device to stand and balance vertically. d. The said quadrilateral tube has connectors for storage bag connection. e. The said quadrilateral tube has an adapter for said pole handle connection. f. The said storage bag has connectors for said quadrilateral tube connection. 